TRAVEL BLOG December 1st, 2021 - MALDIVES to DUBAI

 


12/1/21- It was a fantastic couple of days as we thoroughly enjoyed the relaxation, the views and the hospitality. Everyone, from the welcome staff to our waiter, was on point with being helpful and friendly during our stay to make us feel at home. We're also very happy to have clear skies everyday as the weather showed thunderstorms the entire week originally. I think we may have found a place more unpredictable than New York’s weather. Oh, and surprisingly my phone service came through, three days later. Weird!

After breakfast, we pack our things for the resort to take them to reception and chill at the bar for a bit. I did settle our bill with a major discount on the seaplane (thanks to our gold member status), and surprisingly they also didn’t charge us for the COVID tests, which should have been $130. I can’t complain about that. Again, the staff here has been amazing and would highly recommend for anyone looking for a getaway to a fantasy island destination. Keep in mind, this is not a party island by any means, but if you can survive the trek it is well worth it.

Lunch came and went and soon it was 2:30pm, in time for our return seaplane. The journey took 40 minutes and it was hot and full of people, but the views were amazing. Once we land, they bus us across the island to the airport terminal, pick up our luggage and maneuver around to find check-in. Luckily we filled out our immigration form online last night because they ask for the QR Code while in line for passport control.

Zipping through, we next go through security without any problems and find our gate with two hours to spare. We’re very hot, exhausted and ready to get out of these uncomfortable waiting area seats. Why do airports insist on seats that are rock hard and slant in such a way that your back feels like someone’s knee is pushing against it?

We’re sad to leave this place as every day felt like we were in a screensaver, but there’s so much more to do and we can’t wait to get to our next destination. Oh wait, did I not say where yet? Our flight at 6:20pm will be to Dubai where we’ll be staying for the next 4 days.

Our flight leaves on time and takes over 4 hours to touchdown. We skate through passport control and stand in line for a taxi. We ask the attendant how much and were quoted about 75 AED but the taxi driver quotes double that. We say no thanks and take an UBER instead.

Our hotel (Mercure Suites) looks spacious and on the 29th floor, which gives a decent view of the city. Unfortunately, we were given two twin beds but manage to put them together.

On another note: There’s a new COVID variant Omicron that’s sweeping through and apparently causing flight disruptions. Hopefully, the rest of our trip goes smoothly without incident, but we are watching out just in case.

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